Rangers’ powers extended for 90 days in Karachi

ISLAMABAD - The Ministry of Interior yesterday extended powers of Rangers for another 90 days in Karachi on the basis of a summary moved by the Sindh home department.The ministry, through a notification, extended the powers of the Rangers with the same mandate as the paramilitary force was having earlier in the metropolitan city. The Rangers’ stay was going to expire yesterday.The extension in the powers of the Rangers became controversial last time when the Sindh government moved a summary to the federal government, curtailing their powers in the anti-terrorism operations. However, the Interior Ministry rejected the summary and extended the powers with full mandate. The federal and Singh governments this time resolved this issue amicably.The Rangers’ powers can be extended only if the provincial government moves a summary to the federal government in this regard.Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah held a telephonic conversation the other day and decided to extend the stay of the Rangers. The talk by telephone was held after the interior minister attended a high-level security meeting at the prime minister’s office.After his conversation with the Sindh CM, Nisar said in a statement that the issuance of a new notification after mutual consultations would give a strong and positive message about the Karachi operation. The statement said the Sindh CM had agreed with the interior minister and his invitation to the latter to visit Karachi was still intact.